NonExomics wins place on Illumina genomics accelerator

NonExomics, Inc., a proteogenomics and AI-driven therapeutics company based in Cambridge UK and Greater Boston, is one of seven new genomics companies that global great Illumina has invested in to join the fourth global funding cycle of the transatlantic element of its accelerator programme.

One company from India and five US companies complete the cohort for the Cambridge UK and San Francisco Bay Area programme.

NonExomics is developing a proprietary platform to mine novel drug targets from the dark and uncharacterised regions of the genome.

The seven new companies invited into the magic circle take the Illumina Accelerator portfolio to 68 startups which have collectively raised over $1 billion in venture capital funding; to date 93 per cent of graduate companies in the programme have secured additional capital.

The global company creation engine is focused on partnering with entrepreneurs to build breakthrough genomics startups; its next global funding cycle application deadline is April 1.

Amanda Cashin, co-founder and Global Head of Illumina For Startups, commented: “A hands-on company creation engine and venture builder, Illumina Accelerator has a strong portfolio of 68 omics startups across the globe. 

“We are delighted to welcome our newest investments and honoured to partner with talented entrepreneurs around the world focused on unlocking the power of the genome to make an impact on human health and beyond.”

During two, six-month funding cycles per year, Illumina Accelerator provides selected startups with access to seed investment and Illumina sequencing systems and reagents, as well as business guidance, genomics expertise and fully operational lab space adjacent to Illumina's campuses in Cambridge UK or the San Francisco Bay Area.

NonExomics is joined in the latest cohort by:-

• 4SR Biosciences Inc., a diagnostics and therapeutics company from University of Chicago, which is using proprietary technology to explore new tRNA-based modalities for disease biomarkers and cancer therapeutics.
• B4X, INC., a therapeutics and diagnostics company from Atlanta, Georgia, which is utilising multi-omic big data anchored in genomics to deliver life-saving therapeutics and precision diagnostics to individuals suffering from debilitating diseases of the brain.
• Cache DNA, Inc., a nucleic acid software and storage company from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is on a mission to unlock the information stored in nucleic acids through its breakthrough nucleic acid storage and access technology, helping customers in life sciences accelerate insights.
• CRISP-HR Therapeutics, Inc., a therapeutics company from the San Francisco Bay Area, that has developed a proprietary, next-generation CRISPR platform to create novel therapeutics for rare diseases.
• Purpose Health, Inc., a mental wellness company from Northern Virginia, that supports consumers on their mental wellness journey with data-driven insights into the physiological impact of stress on the microbiome and body.
• Rethink Bio Private Limited, a synthetic biology company from India, which is focused on harnessing the potential of microalgae to develop sustainable food solutions to benefit the planet and people.

More details of the next programme are available at illumina.com